Selaginella willdenowii
| Selaginella willdenowii | |
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| File:Iridescent fern.jpg | |
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S. willdenowii
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| Binomial name | |
| Selaginella willdenowii (Desv. ex Poir.) Baker
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Selaginella willdenowii is a species of spikemoss known by the common names Willdenow's spikemoss[1][2] and peacock fern[3] due to its iridescent blue leaves.[4][5] Like other Selaginallales, it is fern ally and not a true fern.
The blue iridescence is produced by thin-film interference produced by a thin layer of cells with lamellar structure in the upper cuticle of leaves. It is suggested that this adaptation reduces the effect of strong sun beams filtering through the canopy that would otherwise damage shade-adapted species.[6] Blue iridescence is found also Selaginella uncinata and both species are adapted for extreme shade below the forest canopy.[7]
Selaginella willdenowii is sometimes listed as Selaginella willdenovii.[8]
References
- ↑ Selaginella willdenovii — Willdenow's Spikemoss, Encyclopedia of Life
- ↑ Selaginella willdenowii, USDA Plants Database
- ↑ Nature's Palette - the Science of Plant Color by David Lee
- ↑ Function of blue iridescence in tropical understorey plants by Thomas et al; 25 October 2010
- ↑ Leaves change colors under different lighting: Selaginella ferns, asknature.org
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Peacock fern Selaginella willdenovii, Fact Sheet, Weeds of Australia, Biosecurity Queensland Edition
External links
- glow-in-the-light ferns by daniela rambaldini; 19 May 2011
